Assessing Students’ Knowledge in Civic Participation in the Public Senior High Schools in the Ga-South Municipality: Implications for Curriculum Implementation

Students' knowledge of civic participation is a critical tool for ensuring effective participation in civic activities. In Ghana, major subjects such as citizenship education and social studies are taught in schools to provide students with the requisite knowledge to enhance their participation in civic activities, thus ensuring effective implementation of the curriculum. This paper assesses students' knowledge in various ways of civic participation and factors that account for their participation in civic activities. A descriptive survey was employed for the study. Using simple random sampling, 282 respondents were selected for the questionnaire survey. Frequencies and percentages organized in tables were statistical tools for analysis. The study indicated that the students had knowledge in registering to vote, voting, engaging in school and community clean-up exercises and taking part in decision-making processes in school and community as ways of participating in civic activities. In addition, factors such as level of education, resources and time available and the need to participate in civic activities were underscored. This shows an impactful effect on curriculum implementation. However, students leave their school compound and classrooms dirty. School authorities, teachers, parents and community leaders are encouraged to provide the needed supervision, time and other resources to boost students' participation in civic activities.